Research Paper Example about Eating Disorders

“In the United States, there is an estimated eight million Americans that have had an eating disorder, consisting of seven million women and one million men.” Nearly half of Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder (Haerens 111). Eating disorders can be seen as many things and consist of different psychological disorders causing disturbed or abnormal eating habits. Although eating disorders are not commonly talked about, they have one of the highest death rates out of any other mental illness. The unrealistic set standards caused by the beauty and fashion industry are affecting individuals all around the world.

Given the exposure from the media, more males and females have had an eating disorder. Eating disorders happen to be psychological conditions that involve either overeating, voluntary starvation, obsession with food quality or body image, or a combination of these (Ross- Flanigan). One form of an eating disorder is commonly known as bulimia nervosa. It is an emotional eating disorder that involves an obsessive urge to lose weight. As a result of this, people tend to binge eat. Once they finish eating to avoid the weight gain they would either vomit (purge), exercise excessively, or fast.  Most times these disorders are to be treated with some form of professional counseling and a strict regimen of various medications. Many large hospitals and psychiatric practices have programs specially designed to treat these conditions (Ross-Flanigan). One program that is commonly known is called National Eating Disorders Association. That program provides services and raises support and awareness for the community and those that are in need. Some people believe only women suffer from disordered eating but that could not be further from the truth.  These disorders alone in the United States are being treated at a price range of up to two thousand dollars per day, and patients are usually needing care for up to six months (Haerens 112).  The main problem though with this is that people will not want to receive the help they are so in need of. Many people that are struggling with eating disorders will not admit what they are doing is harming themselves whether they know that what is going on is unhealthy, or they believe that those risks will not occur to them. This shows how dangerous eating disorders are.

The media is constantly putting messages out there headlining certain body types. Alongside these “beautiful” women are the familiar headlines: “Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Days,” “Fight Flab! Look Fab!” or some variation on the monotonous theme (Espejo 83). These messages relating to being thinner and losing weight may be hurting self-esteem. They are exposing people to think that “If you do not have the ideal body type you are not beautiful” when that is not the case. These messages teach us that our souls will only feel as good as our bodies look; that we can never be happy unless we strive for physical perfection; and that to be successful, loved, and satisfied we need to emulate the images we have come to idolize (Espejo 84). When trying to obtain what these images are showing, all it is doing is leading an individual towards a cycle of destruction to one’s body.   Even though media messages portraying thinness as a desirable attribute do not directly cause eating disorders, they help create the context in which people learn to place a value on the size and shape of their body (Wexler). This can be a trigger for someone that is struggling. It may not be the media’s direct fault but, it is a significant factor for their viewers. Being a certain weight and having a certain number on the scale does not make one person any less beautiful.

Models are being photoshopped to enhance their features and look a certain way. Not even models themselves can compare to their portfolios (Espejo 95).  With all the advancements in technology, a large number of models cannot even recognize some of their features. With technology, just one tiny click of a button can make a waist look thinner, remove acne, make teeth look whiter, and so much more. These models are already going through so much just to be in this type of career field. Many of them are required to look and present themselves in a certain way and that often leads to meal restriction,  binge eating, and defensive vomiting. From this, many models often become addicted to that lifestyle.  Just like those models, some celebrities have also died as a result of their eating disorders (Ross-Flanigan). One celebrity who had lost her life went by the name of Karen Carpenter. She had passed from cardiac arrest due to her eating disorder.  All of this shows that nothing in the media is one hundred percent accurate and that these disorders can have a lasting effect.

Due to these set standards, more people are trying to meet the ideal body type.  The average Victoria's Secret model weighs 23% less than the average American woman. By maintaining a weight that is 15% below your expected body weight, one fits the credentials for anorexia (Haerens 111). Anorexia Nervosa is another commonly known eating disorder. With this disorder, it can make one obsess over their weight and food. Someone may see themselves as fat with this disorder when in reality they have a low body weight. With anorexia, many use unusual eating habits as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, self-esteem, and more. Some examples of these eating habits are; restrictive eating, compulsive eating, or irregular eating patterns. The group that is considered common with this disorder ranges from girls and women around the ages of sixteen to early twenties. This disorder is dangerous because it can lead to an absence in periods, heart problems, a shut down of the organs, a loss of muscle, heart failure, and more.  Some people that are going through these struggles with disorders do not have a positive self-body image and believe that being thinner is their only way to be accepted into society. 

Some may say media presence does not affect eating disorders. “There is now a growing community of body-positive social media content that promotes and advocates that all bodies are normal and acceptable.” These messages can help reduce feelings of inadequacy and encourage healthy relationships with food and appearance (Christiansen and Dash). The media not only has websites dedicated to spreading awareness and support, but it can also help people feel good about themselves. This can help show people their true worth.

They are mistaken because although they are using body positivity on social media they are still editing and not upholding a positive body image. “Social media can encourage competition and comparison that impacts how people view their bodies.” Viewing beautifully edited pictures can make people feel like their lives, bodies, or experiences are less valuable compared to others (Christiansen and Dash). When slim bodies are being shown the most in the media, they may be portrayed to the public eye as being normal or perfect. They can make the audience that is viewing these bodies feel negative in regards to themselves and hurt their body image.

Far-fetched body standards that have been created by society put out a toxic environment.   Eating disorders have been spoken about most recently whether one has heard about them from someone or seen it on the media.  The media has been harmful in headlining unrealistic body types and that has got to change. With much more information being put out about eating disorders, one day everyone can spread enough awareness and support to those around our community.